Running Blind

The Baldwin Trail was not as I remembered. Three weeks ago a brilliant moon lit the path that would lead me to my first marathon distance run. Turning into the parking lot at 4:30am Saturday, October 28, the trail was dark and lifeless. Thick clouds from a slow moving cold front hid the moon and stars. Moderate rain showers during the early morning hours dampened my mood. I did not have much interest in running 23 miles.

No Excuses.

A small group of Galloway runners gathered in the cold blackness. Light drizzle mixed with a swirling wind that sent a shudder through several of us.
I took a few large gulps from my endurance drink and at 5:10 began the run with Chris, Brad, and Loretta.
The darkness enveloped us. We were running without lights and it became a struggle to stay on the path. I burned more energy trying to focus than I did running.
Jonathan caught up with our diminished group between mile three and four (Tim and Donna were out of town and Phil was working the Florida/Georgia Football game). After twenty minutes of stumblerunning Brad had to peel off and head back to the parking lot. The mood was somber (compared to many of our runs) and I felt like crap. We ran five minutes and walked for one minute, ran five and walked one...
Mile 4.5 and then mile 5. Mile 5.5 and then mile 6. Mile 6.5...

No Excuses.

The early morning sky offered no light for nearly two hours.
We ran 11.5 miles in conditions that would not improve until we turned back home.
The turn home!
Every runner knows how good it feels to be fifty-one percent done.
After 7:00am the Baldwin Trail became manageable.
Darkness gave way to light.
Humidity evaporated.
Temperatures remained cool.
You wouldn’t imagine the final 11.5 miles to be easier than the first 11.5 miles but in many ways it was.

We finished running twenty-three miles at 9:00am. Four hours of running, walking, and trying our best not to step on any rattle snakes.
It was difficult but I’m glad I did not miss it.
Chris gets HUGE props for handling the run. He has done a great job with this program from the outset but Saturday was especially tough. I’m certain Donna is grateful for all of his (and Amanda's) efforts. Phil also deserves props for helping Chris get the coolers out onto the course the night before.

November 18, we’re back out on the trail for our final long run – 26 miles!
My fundraising is stuck at the halfway mark.
I know some of you are still planning to donate.
My recommendation –
Send it now. Don’t wait.

Thanks again for your support!

Make checks payable to:
The Donna Hicken Foundation

Mail to:
The Kurtis Group
425 8th ave. n.
Jacksonville beac,
FL 32250

Loretta and Kurtis

Jonathan

Chris finishing the run

Pink hat raised high at start of Race For The Cure

pretty in pink

More than six thousand runners/walkers, young/old, healthy and struggling with health, showed up Saturday morning to take part in Race For The Cure. This years event doubled its numbers from 2005! Downtown Jacksonville was pulsing with energy. Galloway runners representing The Donna Hicken Foundation were a part of the masses. Moving through the pink and white clad bodies I first greeted Tim and then Chris. Moments later I saw Jonathan. When I was halfway through securing the time chip to my left shoelace I heard Phil. Typically Phil keeps his emotions in check but something about that broad smile was enough to tell me it would be a good morning for a run.
Our group gathered and determined that a sub twenty minute 5k would be the goal. Chris had a sub nineteen under his belt from three weeks earlier and Jonathan would gun for a sub eighteen. Tim, Phil and I were planning to keep Chris in our sights.
I ran strong for almost the entire race. Our pace felt perfect and we were closing in on the finish as a group. With less than an eighth mile to go things went bad for me. Tim and Phil made their push and took over Chris. I let them go but felt strong enough to hang. Then (unfortunately) I looked over at a time clock on the course that displayed 15:45. What? That can't be. My mind and body deflated. I hadn't kept track of distance or time since the first mile. Four minutes of running before the finish? I stopped and walked. Gathering my thoughts I started to jog. I looked ahead at my group turning into the park. When I finally made my slow turn into the park I realized the finish was only two hundred yards ahead. How stupid of me! The sprint to the finish was all I could offer. Talk about losing yourself in a run.
Phil finished FIRST in our 45-49 age group with a time of 19:48 (I knew there was something to that grin I saw earlier). Tim finished SECOND in our age group with a time of 19:51. I finished third (including the walk) with the time of 20:07.* Jonathan finished third (under 18 minutes) in his Young Rabbits age group. Chris finished fourth in his age group with a time under 20 minutes. The lead group of “Donna” runners did well.
Encouraging smiles and boundless enthusiasm filled Metro Park. This was a special morning and we all embraced the cause with a strong, collective purpose.
I'm hanging at the halfway mark in fundraising.
Don't show up late!
Please keep the donations coming.
We run 23 miles Saturday, October 28.

I hope you enjoy the photos.

runners assemble before the race

gotta get your chip

great t shirts - "i love suzi"

the one and only dr john

big smile from lucy croft

runners gather for the start

tim and phil at the start

The quilt was a huge hit

Donna with a few foundation friends

paul and laura

diana and paul

post race in the park

walkers 1

walkers 2